Today on Pinstripe Alley – 4/12/26

TL;DR

The New York Yankees are struggling with a four-game losing streak, primarily due to inconsistent batting, despite solid performances from Ben Rice and Giancarlo Stanton. They aim to salvage their series against the Tampa Bay Rays after a disappointing game where they squandered a late lead.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 10: New York Yankees Outfielder Aaron Judge (99), Infielder Ben Rice (22) and Outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) watch the action on the field during the regular season game between the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays on April 10, 2026, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

We’re three weeks into the season, and officially in our first stretch of the doldrums. The Yankees’ bats have gone completely unreliable over the course of a four-game losing streak, backed up mainly by Ben Rice and Giancarlo Stanton swinging solid bats and the rest of the lineup noodling around. Their latest attempt to break out of their funk saw them waste a solid Max Fried start, rally late to take a lead as José Caballero managed to find a two-run double just to blow the lead in the same inning, and then repeat that in extras. They’ll look to salvage the series finale later today, but suffice to say things are not looking great for the pinstripes.

Today on the site, Estevão leads off with a look at how the concerns of the offseason have come to roost in the lineup’s early struggles, and then Matt gets a double-feature first covering the Rivalry Roundup and the results around the league from Saturday before getting into the history of Sammy Vick’s time as a Yankee on his birthday. Kento dives into Statcast to examine some key Yankees’ batting stance changes entering 2026, and after the game John will be around to deliver the weekly social media spotlight.

Today’s Matchup

New York Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays

Time: 1:40 p.m. EST

Video: YES Network, Rays.tv

Venue: Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg, FL

Questions/Prompts:

Are we going to see the first sweep go against the Yankees this year, or can they get a sliver of revenge in the Trop?
Of the batters under the Mendoza line, who do you think will be the first to get back above it?

Q&A

What caused the New York Yankees' four-game losing streak in April 2026?

The Yankees' losing streak is attributed to unreliable batting, with only Ben Rice and Giancarlo Stanton performing well while the rest of the lineup struggles.

Who are the key players mentioned in the Yankees' recent games?

Key players mentioned include outfielders Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger, infielder Ben Rice, and pitcher Max Fried.

What happened in the Yankees' game against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 10, 2026?

In the game, the Yankees rallied late to take a lead but ultimately lost after blowing the lead in the same inning, despite a solid start from Max Fried.